Method for producing plastic containers

Abstract

A method for producing a plastics material container from half-shells. The half-shells are aligned at respective edges thereof in at least two directions in space, and then at joined by being butt welded together at the respective edges thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for producing a container composed of plastic, the method comprising:
 aligning half-shells with respect to one another in at least two directions in space; 
 transporting the aligned half-shells to a joining station via vacuum grippers, wherein some of the vacuum grippers are configured to engage the half-shells from an inside surface of the half-shells, while other vacuum grippers are configured to engage the half-shells from an outside surface of the half-shells; and 
 joining the aligned half-shells at respective edges thereof. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the aligning the half-shells is conducted via the vacuum grippers which are configured to engage the half-shells from the inside surface and from the outside surface of the half-shell. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the vacuum grippers which engage the half-shells from either the inside surface or the outside surface of the half-shell are configured to engage in planes which are perpendicular with respect to one another. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the vacuum grippers which engage the half-shells from either the inside surface or the outside surface of the half-shell are configured to engage in planes which are not perpendicular with respect to one another. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 2 , wherein the half-shells are aligned with respect to one another by way of horizontally-moveable vacuum grippers. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum grippers which engage the half-shells from either the inside surface or the outside surface of the half-shell are configured to engage in planes which are perpendicular with respect to one another. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum grippers which engage the half-shells from either the inside surface or the outside surface of the half-shell are configured to engage in planes which are not perpendicular with respect to one another. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein joining the half-shells comprises welding the half-shells at the respective edges thereof. 
     
     
       9. A method for producing a container, the method comprising:
 aligning half-shells composed of plastic with respect to one another in at least two directions in space; 
 transporting the half-shells via vacuum grippers, wherein some of the vacuum grippers are to engage the half-shells from an inside surface of the half-shells, while other vacuum grippers are to engage the half-shells from an outside surface of the half-shells; and 
 joining the aligned half-shells at respective obtuse edges thereof. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein joining the half-shells comprises welding the half-shells at the obtuse edges thereof. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein joining the half-shells comprises:
 heating the half-shells at the obtuse edges thereof; 
 moving the half-shells toward one another; and 
 joining the half-shells. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the aligning the half-shells is conducted via the vacuum grippers which engage the half-shells from the inside surface of the half-shell and from an outside surface of the half-shell. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the vacuum grippers which engage the half-shells from either the inside surface or the outside surface of the half-shell engage in planes which are perpendicular with respect to one another. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the vacuum grippers which engage the half-shells from either the inside surface or the outside surface of the half-shell engage in planes which are not perpendicular with respect to one another. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising transporting the half-shells via the vacuum grippers after aligning the half-shells and before joining the half-shells. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the half-shells are aligned with respect to one another by way of horizontally-moveable vacuum grippers. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 9 , wherein joining the half-shells comprises welding the half-shells at the respective obtuse edges thereof. 
     
     
       18. A method, comprising:
 aligning half-shells composed of plastic, via vacuum grippers which are to engage the half-shells, with respect to one another in at least two directions in space; 
 transporting the half-shells via the vacuum grippers, wherein some of the vacuum grippers are to engage the half-shells from an inside surface of the half-shells, while other vacuum grippers are to engage the half-shells from an outside surface of the half-shells; and 
 producing a container by joining the aligned half-shells at respective edges thereof.